Stress during pregnancy

Suna Çetin / Pregnant and Birth Psychologist

Stress factors that cannot be controlled during pregnancy can adversely affect fetal development and the mother. Recommendations for a stress-free, pleasant and peaceful pregnancy on this special journey, which is very important for mother and baby ...

• Stress factors during pregnancy

Pregnancy has two physiological and psychological dimensions. The events and situations experienced by each pregnant woman differ and each expectant mother will meet them differently. In all these processes, anxiety and stress factors that have become habitual cause each expectant mother to react differently. Among them; personality traits, ability to cope with stress, upbringing, relationship with family and spouse, presence or absence of social support, effects of socio-cultural structure, limitation of financial means, past stress and traumas, whether there is a planned pregnancy, previous abortion, abortion and losses, deprivation of partners, marital problems, living alone, divorce, domestic violence, attitude towards motherhood. Therefore, there are also differences in stress coping strategies. First of all, knowing yourself and being aware of your strengths and weaknesses will be a good guide for you in stressful moments.

• Advantages in a peaceful pregnancy

Life is a process that begins and continues in the womb. During this sensitive period, you can stay away from stress and build a solid foundation for your baby's future and yourself. A happy mother has a relaxed and happy womb, and thus a comfortable home for her baby. Of course, there are many advantages of having a stress-free and peaceful pregnancy. The most important of these are;

- It is possible to have a desired birth and a pleasant breastfeeding period after a pregnancy free from anxiety.

- The hormones melatonin, serotonin and oxytocin, which are secreted during the moments away from stress and make us feel good, pass to the baby through the placenta and affect the baby's peace and complete development in a healthy way.

- It also reduces risks such as premature birth, miscarriage risk, high blood pressure and pregnancy poisoning.

- Babies of mothers who have had a peaceful pregnancy usually cry less, fall asleep comfortably and suck the mother easily.

- A peaceful and calm mother provides enough oxygen and blood flow to the fetus with the effect of being relaxed and relaxed. Pregnant women who are calm, relaxed and have a planned pregnancy establish bonds with their babies very early; they send reassuring messages to him.

- A peaceful and anxiety-free pregnancy creates a solid foundation for the future life of the baby as it positively affects both the woman and the baby.

• Effects of stress during pregnancy

Some environmental factors can cause stress in expectant mothers. Stress and anxiety during pregnancy; From the point of view of the fetus, it can affect all biological systems, especially the nervous system, and may cause some negative changes. The negative effects of stress during pregnancy are:

- Long-term stress rather than immediate and daily stress increases the release of adrenaline in the expectant mother and reduces the blood flow to the baby. If negative emotions go from the expectant mother to the baby as an energy and continue after birth, the foundations of an identity that looks negatively on life can be laid.

- Changes occur in the endocrine system with the stress and depression experienced during pregnancy. Rising cortisol level; It causes miscarriage, premature birth, pregnancy intoxication, bleeding, fetal death and low birth weight baby.

- Anxiety during pregnancy has long-term effects on the child's behavioral and emotional problems. It has been stated that baby movements increase in stressed mothers and their tolerance to strain and frustration decreases in the first year of their life.

- Studies have shown that if the stress and depression of the expectant mother is high during pregnancy and the mother is also excited, impatient and competitive, the baby will cry more in the newborn period and it will be difficult to calm down.

- Stress during pregnancy can cause a delay in all newborn reflexes and motor development. In addition, the baby shows lower scores in orientation and condition regulation, attention, vigor and endurance.

• Mood change

Pregnancy is a period when mood changes occur frequently. Many factors can cause anxiety and stress during pregnancy. While it is natural that changes that come with a new situation create anxiety and stress, it is more important to direct responses and develop coping strategies. Questions in the head during this period:

* Will my baby be healthy?

* How will the birth be?

* Will I gain a lot of weight? Will my wife like me like this?

* What kind of a mother will I be, will I be able to take care of my baby?

* Who will take care of my baby when I start work? How am I going to go to work? What will my career be?

* Will I be able to afford my child financially?

* Will the troubles caused by physiological changes (nausea, vomiting, cramps, heartburn, etc.) be with me until the pregnancy ends?

It is inevitable that the above-mentioned situations cause anxiety and stress. Because the organism responds to the existing situation with a fight or flight response when it perceives a threat. This answer is the way we demonstrate our stress coping skills. However, the pleasant side of the pregnancy process is missed due to the concerns about the future in the mind. The most important thing to do is; It should be to focus on the ongoing process and live by feeling every moment. It should not be forgotten that this process, which is the rebirth of identity of being a woman and a mother, is one of the most beautiful journeys.

• What should be done to be peaceful during pregnancy?

In this special process, staying away from anxieties and managing anxieties is very important for the health of mother and baby. Here are my suggestions ...

1. First of all, stay away from negative thoughts and focus on the positive. To do this, first refuse to listen to negative pregnancy and birth stories. So avoid such conversations by gently saying "My baby hears us".

2. Don't hide your feelings, especially share them with your partner. This will relax you.

3. Avoid making important decisions and changes in your life during this period.

4. Talk to your doctor about any issues you are concerned about. Sharing will alleviate your anxiety a little bit.

5. Healthy eating, regular sleep and exercising during pregnancy make it easier for you to cope with your concerns specific to this period and is very healthy for the mother and baby.

6. Practicing physical activities and exercises recommended by your doctor strengthens your muscles, stretches your pelvis and increases blood circulation. This naturally reduces tension and stress. It also prepares you for birth. Especially regularly doing pregnancy yoga and meditation exercises increases the bonding between mother and baby.

7. Social support during this period; It enables the expectant mother to relax cognitively and emotionally, support the stress coping mechanism, and facilitate the transition to the role of mother.

8. Since trying to be the perfect mother will increase anxiety, the focus should be on being a sufficient mother.

9. Participating in the birth preparation trainings given by experts in the field prepares the expectant mother for the birth and ensures communication with other pregnant women.

10. Making use of sunlight enough gives health, vitality and happiness.

11. It is important to make a habit of breathing correctly. Because with every correct breath taken, good hormones are activated and more oxygen and blood flow is provided to the baby.

12. Planning the birth process and participating with the spouse in the decisions to be made about the birth helps to reduce the anxiety about the birth.

13. Spending time for the expectant mother and taking a hobby helps her to have a healthy pregnancy.

14. In a peaceful environment, the mother-to-be staying alone with her baby in the womb, talking to him and enabling the father to talk will also strengthen the communication between mother, father and baby. Babies are more sensitive to subtle sounds while in the womb, so speech should be soft and subtle.

15. Listening to light and calm music during pregnancy is good for both the mother and her baby. Listening to music distracts the expectant mother from many issues that make her feel anxious.

16. The relaxing effect of relaxation and massage should definitely be utilized, and deep and rhythmic breaths should be taken as much as possible.

17. It is important to develop stress coping skills or, where necessary, work with a birth psychologist to seek psychological support. In this way, a mental cleansing is done while going to the birth and a safe place is opened for the new baby.

18. Television, telephone, computer, etc. that emit radiation waves. technological devices should be avoided as much as possible.

19. Precautions should be taken before the problems grow.

20. While developing the motherhood role, other roles, especially the role of wife and woman, should not be forgotten.

21. In order to control and relieve stress, it is necessary to recognize it first. The best way to cope with stress is to recognize and control the factors that cause stress and to develop coping skills.

Editor's note: Be sure to check out our expert's Research Results on Stress During Pregnancy.

REFERENCES

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Fetal Büyümeye Etki Eden Maternal Faktörler

Kadir Desdicioğlu, M. Ali Malas Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Anatomi AD. Isparta S.D.Ü. Tıp Fak. Derg. 2006:13(2)/ 47-54

Prenatal Stresin Nörogelişimsel Etkileri. M. Genco Usta, Adem Balıkçı 2012, Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar

Gebelikte Depresyon: Sıklık, Risk Faktörleri ve Tedavisi

Kıymet Yeşilçiçek Çalık, Songül Aktaş Psikiyatride Güncel Yaklaşımlar-Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 2011

Gebelerde Depresyon ve Anksiyete Bozukluğunun Obstetrik Sonuçları ve Yenidoğan Üzerine Etkileri.

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Author(s): Eskici, Levent; Demir Akca, Ayşe Semra; Atasoy, Nuray; Arıkan, İlker; Hama Mehmet